Sport

Oxford United supporters' group call for answers

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by Mark Edwards, Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451

OXFORD United supporters' trust OxVox have this morning released a statement urging anyone interested in taking over the club to make clear their intentions.

Two consortiums, one led by Mark Ashton and the other by Charlie Methven, are in discussions with U's owner Ian Lenagan about a deal.

Ashton's Birmingham-based group are believed to be the front-runners, but neither they or Lenagan have spoken publicly or responded to OxVox's requests.

The group have now issued a plea for clarity in the situation.

Their full statement read: "OxVox is calling on Oxford United and all parties that are interested in acquiring a stake in the club, to come forward and discuss their plans with the Supporters Trust and our entire fanbase.

“Despite the lack of communication from the board of Oxford United and a refusal to respond to the requests of the OxVox committee, we invite all those involved, including all consortia, to be open with their business plans and outline their vision for the club.

“We have recently been approached by the consortium led by local businessman Charlie Methven and we’ve invited him to provide further details about his plans so that we can relay this information to our fanbase.

“While we do not expect to be part of any confidential offers and commercial information of any private transaction, we do expect that fans are provided as much information as possible.

“Despite several attempts to contact Mark Ashton, whom we can confirm is in advanced discussions over potential ownership, he has refused to enter into any dialogue with OxVox despite the Asset of Community Value being placed on the Kassam Stadium.

“The stadium ownership remains a key component for the medium to long-term prospects of Oxford United and any agreement to purchase the stadium would trigger the right to bid. We have always been clear on what would happen in this situation.

“We would seek detailed information on the bid and then make recommendations to our membership to vote to either remove or activate the right to bid.

“We have also been very vocal that in order to recommend that the right to bid is removed, the club would have to own the stadium itself rather than a subsidiary company. At the very least the stadium would have to be held in a trust.

“If a subsidiary company owned the stadium there might be short-term wins such as the club playing at the site rent free, or receive additional revenue, but this could be removed at the whim of any future owner.

“The only way to protect Oxford United’s long-term prosperity is for it to own the ground itself. We would only advise the membership to remove the right to bid if these criteria were met.

“Finally, should the club change ownership then we expect the new owners will ask for support from our loyal fanbase.

“We therefore once again ask you to break your silence and not treat our supporters with contempt by refusing to speak to them.

“We ask all Oxford United fans to unite behind the club staff, manager and players and to show those watching that we are united in our aims for success on the field and for the safe-guarding of our football club off it.”

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Comments (10)

Hear hear, come on Mr. Ashton, Mr Methven and particularly Ian Lenagan. The board of OU and the Ashton group are treating the fans contemptuously, at least Mr Methven has informed a fans group. What we need and deserve is to be kept informed. As Oxvox have said fans don't have a right to confidential business info but owning the ground is a must for the club to proceed in a proper manner and the fans should and deserve to be kept reasonably well informed. A statement please!

Hear hear, come on Mr. Ashton, Mr Methven and particularly Ian Lenagan. The board of OU and the Ashton group are treating the fans contemptuously, at least Mr Methven has informed a fans group. What we need and deserve is to be kept informed. As Oxvox have said fans don't have a right to confidential business info but owning the ground is a must for the club to proceed in a proper manner and the fans should and deserve to be kept reasonably well informed. A statement please!Richard Wickson

The only time you here from oufc is when they are after our hard earned cash don't here anything else from them like now can you hear anything coz i can't this will backfire soon i think because us supporters will just move on and find something else to do on a Saturday afternoon

The only time you here from oufc is when they are after our hard earned cash don't here anything else from them like now can you hear anything coz i can't this will backfire soon i think because us supporters will just move on and find something else to do on a Saturday afternoonnorthampton yellow

I completely agree with what Oxvox I trying to do and I think the sentiments in their statement are shared by all. We really need to hear from any perspective new owners to understand their plans.

I am not sure how I can show support for Charlie Methven's bid when I don't know the details or his vision for the club.

[quote][p][bold]Woodfarm86[/bold] wrote:
Support the Charlie Methven bid @
https://www.facebook
.com/pages/Support-t
he-Charlie-Methven-t
akeover/540401549418
936[/p][/quote]I completely agree with what Oxvox I trying to do and I think the sentiments in their statement are shared by all. We really need to hear from any perspective new owners to understand their plans.
I am not sure how I can show support for Charlie Methven's bid when I don't know the details or his vision for the club.Dolly76

Richard Wickson wrote:
Hear hear, come on Mr. Ashton, Mr Methven and particularly Ian Lenagan. The board of OU and the Ashton group are treating the fans contemptuously, at least Mr Methven has informed a fans group. What we need and deserve is to be kept informed. As Oxvox have said fans don't have a right to confidential business info but owning the ground is a must for the club to proceed in a proper manner and the fans should and deserve to be kept reasonably well informed. A statement please!

Not treating fans 'contemptuously' -Just showing their true colours, I'm certain the vast majority of Chairmen and board of directors in private have little or no respect for Supporters.
'We' are just a necessary annoyance. So asking for 'A statement' will almost certainly fall on deaf ears, unless they see some advantage in doing so, Cynical? You bet.

[quote][p][bold]Richard Wickson[/bold] wrote:
Hear hear, come on Mr. Ashton, Mr Methven and particularly Ian Lenagan. The board of OU and the Ashton group are treating the fans contemptuously, at least Mr Methven has informed a fans group. What we need and deserve is to be kept informed. As Oxvox have said fans don't have a right to confidential business info but owning the ground is a must for the club to proceed in a proper manner and the fans should and deserve to be kept reasonably well informed. A statement please![/p][/quote]Not treating fans 'contemptuously' -Just showing their true colours, I'm certain the vast majority of Chairmen and board of directors in private have little or no respect for Supporters.
'We' are just a necessary annoyance. So asking for 'A statement' will almost certainly fall on deaf ears, unless they see some advantage in doing so, Cynical? You bet.Brenda Jackson

oldun wrote:
About 1998, we must have upset some almighty power - 16 years of great disappointment . All we are asking for is a decent third flight team - so far away from having that aren't we Mr L? !?

Decent second flight team contending for first flight is minimum for me, Old'Un.

Hardly imminent I know but what else does one strive for..?

[quote][p][bold]oldun[/bold] wrote:
About 1998, we must have upset some almighty power - 16 years of great disappointment . All we are asking for is a decent third flight team - so far away from having that aren't we Mr L? !?[/p][/quote]Decent second flight team contending for first flight is minimum for me, Old'Un.
Hardly imminent I know but what else does one strive for..?BigCrompy

Perhaps 'they' (the board) are not hearing us, as all requests are falling on deaf ears, so how about we make them hear by organizing a get together outside their office. After all we deserve answers.
Having supported oxford for over 30yrs, some seasons with and without a season ticket due to work commitments, through good times and bad, this year I will not be renewing for the plain a simple reason...we deserve to be told what is happening.
So, like I said perhaps we should take it to their door...anyone else coming??

Perhaps 'they' (the board) are not hearing us, as all requests are falling on deaf ears, so how about we make them hear by organizing a get together outside their office. After all we deserve answers.
Having supported oxford for over 30yrs, some seasons with and without a season ticket due to work commitments, through good times and bad, this year I will not be renewing for the plain a simple reason...we deserve to be told what is happening.
So, like I said perhaps we should take it to their door...anyone else coming??sharonnm

Richard Wickson wrote:
Hear hear, come on Mr. Ashton, Mr Methven and particularly Ian Lenagan. The board of OU and the Ashton group are treating the fans contemptuously, at least Mr Methven has informed a fans group. What we need and deserve is to be kept informed. As Oxvox have said fans don't have a right to confidential business info but owning the ground is a must for the club to proceed in a proper manner and the fans should and deserve to be kept reasonably well informed. A statement please!

Not treating fans 'contemptuously' -Just showing their true colours, I'm certain the vast majority of Chairmen and board of directors in private have little or no respect for Supporters.
'We' are just a necessary annoyance. So asking for 'A statement' will almost certainly fall on deaf ears, unless they see some advantage in doing so, Cynical? You bet.

Like you I too am cynical, 65 years of life and 56 years supporting OU does eventually have that effect. I know Lenagan, Methven and Ashton will ignore my plea but I always think if you don't ask you stand no chance of getting and if you ask and are ignored you then vote with your feet. Not that I plan to move to another club but we do need to show Lenagan that as a collective body, 5,000 plus he can't do without our gate money. As Sharonnm says maybe we should show strength, me thinks that boycotting the first home friendly would have some effect, I mean there is only one new player on show so we wouldn't see anything we haven't seen before, although hopefully things may be clearer by then, the club may even own the stadium, sorry I can but dream!

[quote][p][bold]Brenda Jackson[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Richard Wickson[/bold] wrote:
Hear hear, come on Mr. Ashton, Mr Methven and particularly Ian Lenagan. The board of OU and the Ashton group are treating the fans contemptuously, at least Mr Methven has informed a fans group. What we need and deserve is to be kept informed. As Oxvox have said fans don't have a right to confidential business info but owning the ground is a must for the club to proceed in a proper manner and the fans should and deserve to be kept reasonably well informed. A statement please![/p][/quote]Not treating fans 'contemptuously' -Just showing their true colours, I'm certain the vast majority of Chairmen and board of directors in private have little or no respect for Supporters.
'We' are just a necessary annoyance. So asking for 'A statement' will almost certainly fall on deaf ears, unless they see some advantage in doing so, Cynical? You bet.[/p][/quote]Like you I too am cynical, 65 years of life and 56 years supporting OU does eventually have that effect. I know Lenagan, Methven and Ashton will ignore my plea but I always think if you don't ask you stand no chance of getting and if you ask and are ignored you then vote with your feet. Not that I plan to move to another club but we do need to show Lenagan that as a collective body, 5,000 plus he can't do without our gate money. As Sharonnm says maybe we should show strength, me thinks that boycotting the first home friendly would have some effect, I mean there is only one new player on show so we wouldn't see anything we haven't seen before, although hopefully things may be clearer by then, the club may even own the stadium, sorry I can but dream!Richard Wickson

oldun wrote:
About 1998, we must have upset some almighty power - 16 years of great disappointment . All we are asking for is a decent third flight team - so far away from having that aren't we Mr L? !?

Decent second flight team contending for first flight is minimum for me, Old'Un.

Hardly imminent I know but what else does one strive for..?

Striving for ? OK - Champions League winners. A highly place third flight club is a realistic expectation (emphasis) isn't it ? .

[quote][p][bold]BigCrompy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]oldun[/bold] wrote:
About 1998, we must have upset some almighty power - 16 years of great disappointment . All we are asking for is a decent third flight team - so far away from having that aren't we Mr L? !?[/p][/quote]Decent second flight team contending for first flight is minimum for me, Old'Un.
Hardly imminent I know but what else does one strive for..?[/p][/quote]Striving for ? OK - Champions League winners. A highly place third flight club is a realistic expectation (emphasis) isn't it ? .oldun